IPL 16 : Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) vs Delhi Capitals (DC) – Match 3 : Lucknow
The cool Saturday Awadhi evening was witness to a Game of some scorching pace as Lucknow’s very own took on the power packed, star studded Delhi Capitals at the strikingly attractive Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. The aerial view of the fully lit playing arena was one to behold.
Kyle Mayers and the 6 hitting spree
Though KL Rahul lost the toss ( made to bat by David Warner ), and his wicket too very early in the match, the burly West Indian Kyle Mayers ( who had just arrived a few days ago ) had other ideas. After a very sedate start, Mayers just ploughed into the not so bad DC bowling attack ( though Chetan Sakariya suffered ) and gave the innings some fabulous momentum. Nicholas Pooran, his West Indian team mate and later Ayush Badoni striking magnificently as well . The hitting was spectacular to say the least. In all 16 sixes were hit and LSG compiled a formidable 193, with Mayers getting 73 of just 38 balls.
Mark ‘Paceblazer’ Wood
A Fifer for Mark Wood
DC have a batting line up which in my opinion can pulverise any bowling attack. They bat deep and strong and so they started. They were off to a flyer and then came the Englishman Mark Wood. His blistering pace has troubled many across the world. An exciting contest was on hands and Mark Wood did not disappoint. He first rattled the off stump of Prithwi Shaw and the very next ball cleaned up the dangerous Mitch Marsh. Both deliveries being pacy indippers. DC were pegged back and could never recover from the double blow. In the end David Warner was left with too much to do.
LSG’s Edge ensures Victory
Avesh Khan, Ravi Bishnoi and K Gowtham all bowled well to ensure a comfortable victory for Lucknow, with Mark Wood getting a well deserved Fifer and the Player of the Match award. Genuine pace bowlers are a treat to watch and there is always a sense of expectation when they run in hard. They give that vital edge to any team. Luckily LSG has Mark Wood. Another factor which went into LSG’s favour was an inspired Impact substitution to bring in K Gowtham, who hit a 6 on the only ball he faced, bowled tightly and held his catches.
DC – A Trick Missed
DC would rue their batting performance in particular, though their bowling did not light up the stadium either. They also missed a trick or two by under utilising Axar Patel’s new found batting prowess. Rilee Rossouw and Rovman Powell appeared all at sea against some good spin bowling and the Impact substitution failed to deliver. DC have a lot to ponder on. The 50 run defeat would have an impact on their run rate as well.
LSG though have given a lot to cheer for their fans and the city is loving it.
Punjab Kings (PK) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Match 2 : Mohali
Earlier in the day, Kolkata Knight Riders went down fighting to Punjab Kings at Mohali. The Match 2 saw a consistent Punjab well led by Shikhar Dhawan having a stranglehold on the game right through and though in the end Andre Russell and Venkatesh Iyer tried to chase down the target, it appeared distant and with wickets falling it was like fighting a losing battle. However the rain came in and had it not been for Iyer’s wicket, KKR might have emerged surprise winners by the DL Method.
Arshdeep Drills into a Beleaguered KKR
Arshdeep Singh – A True Match Winner
Punjab Kings batted well and with Arshdeep Singh ( Player of the Match ) bowling those surprise short balls, KKR were wound wanting. With Shreyas Iyer not playing, their batting has a big hole and with Lockie Fergusson not fit for the match, KKR were down in pace too. Nitish Rana captaining KKR has a tough job at hand. Their Head Coach Chandrakant Pandit replacing Brendon McCullum is also akin to a culture change.
Prabhsimran – The One to Watch
For Punjab Kings, all eyes were on Sam Curran, the most expensive player in the history of IPL. Though he had a decent outing, his lack of pace on slow, batting friendly pitches in India would be a stiff challenge for Curran. However Punjab look settled and are a good team. Bhanuka Rajapaksha played brilliantly and Sikandar Raza, the all-rounder from Zimbabwe made a decent debut too. One word for Prabhsimran, the young Punjab opener. His strokeplay was fearless and exquisite and though an unfortunate dismissal cut short his innings, I am really looking forward to see him bat again.
The matches now shift to the South today with Sunrisers Hyderabad hosting Rajasthan Royals at Hyderabad, while Mumbai Indians travel to Bengaluru for a mouth watering clash with Royal Challengers Bangalore.
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Featured Image – Wood & Rahul / pic courtesy ANI